We need to stop saying “we’re all a little autistic”A few years ago, I was the only diagnosed autistic staff member in a special school. The rest of the...
Autism and Religion: Reconciling Logic with Faith‘I just can’t understand how someone with a maths degree and a brain like yours can believe in God’, a...
The balance between helping autistic people and doing it for them (and how to get it right)During my work in special education, one story that really stuck with me involved a sixteen-year-old girl who came to...
50 Pretty Big Facts About AutismAfter this album of pictures got over 3,000 shares on Autistic Not Weird’s Facebook page [all links open in new windows],...
A survival guide for Year Sixes preparing for their SATs (from an autistic teacher)There are so many advice articles out there for parents. This one’s for children. In particular, this is for...
Why autistic people struggle with comfort zones, and what can be done about itI’ll admit it: this is one article I procrastinated the hell out of. Because it’s painful on a personal level....
11 Painful Diary Quotes from my Worst Years (and what I learned from each of them)What’s the best thing about keeping a diary through the bad years? Someday you read it back and realise how...
How to Raise ACTUAL Autism AwarenessRemember when we all changed our profile pictures to ribbons, and it cured cancer? No, me neither. The phrase “raising...
I’m ever so sorry. I really DON’T look autistic.*DANGER- this article contains enormous doses of sarcasm, irony, and may contain nuts.* I know we’re not supposed to judge...
Anger and growing up: ten tips to beat itSome years ago, I smashed up our family’s shower head because it wasn’t doing what I wanted. Looking back, I probably...
What to do when your family doesn’t accept autism“My parents don’t accept that I am (or my child is) autistic. What should I do?” This question ranks pretty...
How do I stop my child using autism as an excuse?I didn’t expect to be asked this question as often as I have been. It’s a tricky one to even...
We asked children across the autism spectrum: “What do you love most about life?” Here are their answers.Note- this article has now been adapted, improved tenfold, and turned into a book! Information about it can be found...
Five ways to damage autistic children without even knowingYep, uncomfortable title. But sadly, these are subjects that I feel we have a responsibility to talk about. Today, I’m...
30 translations for people who struggle with hintsDisclaimer: this article contains a lot of tongue-in-cheek humour that’s not to be taken seriously. And if I know anything about...
When should I tell my child they’re autistic, and how do I tell them?2020 edit- this is now an expired article. I’ve written an updated version here, which is based on insights I’ve...
Ten reasons your autistic child needs to learn chess right nowAh, chess. The game of kings… and Aspies. Now, before I begin, I expect a few readers will come...
Dear Katie Hopkins, I’d rather have my brain than yours.The following is my open letter to Katie Hopkins. To any American readers who do not know who she is, please don’t...
How hard can it be to fund a school for disabled children?I’ve often heard that you can judge a whole society on how it treats its most vulnerable. And I’m not...
Story of an Autistic Teacher: encouraging autistic children beyond their ‘natural limits’I usually make my posts very personal. I think the human element is extremely important. This may be one of the...
